Remember way back to December 8, 2011, there was an LSC meeting when they first heard all of this SPED CIRCUIT BREAKER money would be coming available? Back then the proposed that one of the NEW positions they would be adding was a LIFE SKILLS teacher at BREED.
Well at least that would have been DIRECT SERVICES and SPECIAL NEEDS. Seems to me that would be a good investment of the excess. Now I don't have all the numbers in front of me, nor do I really want them.
BUT...,
I don't see how causing an overcrowding at COMMERCIAL STREET (which is supposed to be at BENNETT STREET) does anything to relieve any at BREED. The sheer fact they were contemplating adding a teacher in DEC. indicates there must have been some population problems.
Was there a mass exodus of students? A turnaround in trends, perhaps? I did not here any public explanation for this lack of action or change in direction. Am I entitled to one? Not really, I'm nobody special. I tell who is: "The parents of those BREED students who are being done a disservice just so some COMMERCIAL STREET CRONIES can pilfer particular pennies from premium programs".
The students are not Breed students. There were 3 classrooms at Ingalls of severe special needs a PK and K-1 combined class and a gr. 2-4 and a gr.5-8. They needed one of the rooms to step up the program by turning it into a therapy/quiet area to prevent new students from going out of district so they were going to send the gr. 5-8 class to Breed and make it Life skills. In the end it didn't happen they combined the gr.2-4 and the gr. 5-8 classes into 1 room. Very ugly scene, complete chaos and severely crowded conditions.
ReplyDeleteSounds worse than I imagined. Looks like I need to do a little more investigating. That's the benefit of throwing things out there, you LEARN things.
ReplyDeleteAgain, I don't know much about the special education situation at Breed, because my child does not receive special education services, but I can tell you that the 3 years he spent at Breed were a nightmare!! From my personal experience...the guidance counselors were pretty useless, many of the teachers were unorganized, unprofessional and lacked the necessary skills needed to even be teaching middle school, and the classrooms were so overcrowded it was disgusting. The entire school is way too overcrowded. Even events such as open houses were chaotic and unorganized. Unfortunately, Breed and every other school that is not a level 4 school (YET) will not receive any funding or attention!! It's only a matter of time, before other schools become level 4 schools too. I just found out that some of our elementary schools like Sisson and I believe Sewall-Anderson, don't even have Science books or supplies. Science is part of the MCAS!! So what was the purpose of making us watch exhausting powerpoint presentations on what is suppose to be a great science program (Know Atom) when some of our schools don't even have a Science book!! And let's not forget that not every school will be benefiting from the Know Atom program to begin with!! Curriculum should be district wide!! Each grade level should be teaching the same material using the same books, materials and supplies!! Picking and choosing schools and classrooms to receive benefits and a better education than other schools and classrooms in the same district is discriminative!!
ReplyDeleteWell Lori, you once again point out many glaring problems. Personally, I think they can all be blamed on a lack of leadership from the top.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, KnowAtom can't happen. The cost of McScience in a box is just too cost prohibitive. When the grants run out i predict they are gone. I think you are right to say that certain schools get favored status but what do I know, I'm just a poet.
As for future LEVEL 4 status, I don't know. WHY? Because I hear that the way we KEEP SCORE may be changing.
Stan....yes I heard the same thing...they will no longer be using AYP. However, I expect to receive more information on this from the DOE either tomorrow or Tuesday, so I will keep you posted on what I find out. Also, I agree, the lack of leadership from the top is wreaking havoc in all our schools.
ReplyDeleteI assume you heard about the website too. Man you are stealing all my thunder. Monday, I hope to have some kind of commentary on this stuff.
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